Beautiful Darkness: Celebrating the Winter Solstice

Jessica Radcliffe | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 23, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: High Bohemia
• ASIN: B000056K90
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,410 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Northern Lass/Snowflakes/Snowflakes (Instrumental)

2. Time Is A Little Girl/Over The River And Through The Woods

3. The Time Is Drawing Near

4. Kolyada/Old One

5. Raven/Gifts

6. Give Me The Moon

7. Abbottts Bromley Horn Dance/In Winter's Shadow

8. O Vent

9. The Cutty Wren

10. 'Til Here Is There

11. To Drive The Cold Winter Away

12. One Small Candle/Beautiful Darkness

13. Winter Wedding/The Wexford Carol/The King/The Holly And The Ivy

14. Solstice Fire

15. Tourne, Tourne

16. Bright Child/Magic

17. The Holly Bears The Crown

Editorial Reviews

This trio presents exquisite acoustic arrangements of traditional tunes & songs from Russia, Ireland, Wales & other parts of the world, blending original material & spoken word to create the perfect backdrop for the winter season.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, December 1, 2003

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beautiful Darkness: Celebrating the Winter Solstice (Audio CD)

This is one of my favorite CDs this season. The songs are simply lovely. Sond of the songs have words that are spoken rather than sung as poems or stories being told. Beautiful flutes, bells ringing, guitars and the like. Its very gentle music that you just want to sit and absorb. The lyrics are beautiful - poetic blessings, celebrating our change of seasons, the winter, the wildlife. A few have a celtic sound to them but most do not. The voices, music are just so harmonious, melodic, wonderful. This cd was just what I needed to celebrate the darkness. An amazing work. I wish I could find more like this one!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mature and Genuinely Talented, December 12, 2010

By 

BrownFoote (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beautiful Darkness: Celebrating the Winter Solstice (Audio CD)

I admit it is difficult for me to find music that both suits my earth-centered sensibilities and my need for really good (professional, grown-up) music. This CD is refreshingly both. Much Pagan-ish music comes across as slightly cheesy to me, perhaps partly because I spend a lot of time listening to genuine indigenous sound and the worlds most gifted musicians from multiple cultures. This is NOT your typical "almost Celtic" or "almost poetic but-a-little-predictable" blatantly Goddess-honoring CD. No, this, this is subtle, sensitive, brave, professional, and inclusive. The artists include brilliant poetry by both John and Caitlin Matthews (who are personal friends of theirs) and bring in imagery from traditional pre-Christian Russia. There is a sampling from France, England, and my favorite treat, a soulful rendition of a Romani Gypsy song. Their own poetry is simple, understated, and still emotional. My only wish is that one of the vocalists had a silkier voice that matched a few of the songs emotionality better, but her youthful, raspy quality is perfect for the rest of what she sings. It is a shame they haven't done more sacred music.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intoxicating, February 22, 2002

By 

shellouise "shellouise" (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beautiful Darkness: Celebrating the Winter Solstice (Audio CD)

How does one begin to describe absolute musical and lyrical beauty? Beautiful Darkness is that description. It is mysterious, passionate, elegant, grand, heavenly, intoxicating and down to earth all at the same time. The artists on this CD have given music lovers a rare gift with this recording.